Ok all, it is that time of year again. Its time for the annual Pittsburgh St Patricks Day Parade ride. this past weekend, I received the invitation information for this years parade. This year it is on Saturday, March 17. We are still limited to 25-30 units, NO dirt bikes. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE, BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS, INCLUDING THOSE IN SIDE-BY-SIDES. I will start the head count, I'm in for 5. We will have our float again as we did in the past few parades. From now through February 28, we are limiting entries to those members who have a post count of at least 10 (10 legitimate posts), or anyone who joined us in previous parades. Starting march 1, any remaining spots can be claimed by those with a post count of under 10. everyone who signs up for the parade must agree to the rules that are posted below by acknowledging your understanding of them, and your agreement to follow them by posting here. I will be sending the form back to the parade committee on behalf of everyone. none of our participants need to return this form to the parade committee. the form I send back will be a blanket form for all of us representing atvingpa.com. Here are some details, copied and pasted from last years post.

here is a quick look at the basic information regarding the parade. as i think if anything else or anything i may have missed, i will poist it. the parade committee has also requested that we decorate our units in green/st patricks day garb.

1. atvs and side by sides only......no bikes are allowed.2. all must have legal registration (pa or recip state)3. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY!!!! IF YOU SHOW UP WITHOUT YOUR HELMET YOU WONT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE. THIS INCLUDES BOTH DRIVERS AND RIDERS.....SIDE BY SIDES INCLUDED!!!4. must be in the strip district of pittsburgh by 8am. lineup around 930. parade starts at 10. we most likely wont start moving till around 1130-1200.5. no mud!!! make sure your units are cleaned off. the cleaner the better.6. decorations are welcomed and encouraged.7. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY!!!! IF YOU SHOW UP WITHOUT YOUR HELMET YOU WONT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE. THIS INCLUDES BOTH DRIVERS AND RIDERS.....SIDE BY SIDES INCLUDED!!! (yes i know i repeated it....)

Everyone must be in the parking lot in the Strip District by 8am as this is when they start closing the roads for the parade. If your not there by 8am, you may not be able to get to the meeting/staging area.

We will again be meeting at the Liberty Commons parking lot at 26th and Liberty Avenue in the Strip District section of the city.

This area below for the lawyers...

Pittsburgh Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 2017Rules for Participants1. The theme of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade is always a celebration of the region’s Irishheritage honoring the holiday of Ireland’s patron - Saint Patrick. This primary theme is provided to allparticipants as guidance on the Parade Committee’s expectation that all of their activities andcommunications will respectfully support and not detract from this over-arching theme in the spirit asintended. All participant messaging and themes that are tied to participation in this event must besubservient to the singular theme of celebrating the region’s Irish heritage.2. The purpose of the parade is to unite the community in a positive fashion under its one theme, on theinclusive premise that everyone can be “Irish for a day.”3. Because the Pittsburgh Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is a platform solely for the celebration of the region’sIrish heritage, it is not a platform for participants to use for public protest, political speech, socialcommentary, labor-management relations, government or legislative lobbying, special interestadvocacy, or any issue or message theme unrelated to the region’s celebration of its Irish heritage. Inlaymen’s terms, in order to achieve a sense of common unity and fellowship, the parade maintains a“leave your issues at the curb” policy for all participants in the parade.4. The Pittsburgh Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee operates as part of the Irish Society for Educationand Charity, Inc., a private, 501 ( C ) 3 not-for-profit organization that accepts no public funding. Allparade participants are considered to be invited guests of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day ParadeCommittee. Any violation of Parade Rules as determined by the Parade Chairman and the ParadeCommittee may result in the suspension of invitations to participate in future parades.a. The Pittsburgh Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee does not discriminate based on race,gender, sexual orientation, age or disability, and does not deny entry based on any of thesecriteria.b. Preference is given to entries that have participated in the parade in the past, havingdemonstrated respect for all rules of conduct; Irish groups; individuals and organizations thatexist to celebrate the region’s Irish heritage; and selected individuals, groups and businessesfrom the community that demonstrate pride in the region’s Irish heritage or provide certainentertainment value.c. The Parade Committee reserves the right to deny participation to any individual or organizationthat does not meet its criteria for participation as set forth by these rules and includes meetingall requisite deadlines, and parade capacity limits.5. Because the Parade does not accept public funding, participants, sponsors and donors should notprovide payment from public funding sources.6. To promote the safety of our participants and spectators, the throwing of any items by marchers orfrom any vehicle in the parade route is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, beads,candy and “silly string.” Only curbside distribution is permitted.7. Check-in time is as follows:a. Vehicles 8:30 a.m.b. Marchers 9 a.m.8. The Parade will start promptly at 10 a.m.9. Parade entries should limit the number of vehicles in their groups to a maximum of two (2) per group,unless special permission is received from the Parade Committee.10. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted among participants at any time, from the staging area, along theparade route, and/or in any vehicle or float. More specifically, the Parade Committee emphasizes thatalcoholic beverages are not permitted in the staging area, on any person or in any participating vehicleduring the Parade. This includes marching, driving, as a passenger in a vehicle or entertaining. In allfacets of the Parade alcohol is excluded. Parade Marshals have the authority to exclude/remove you oryour organization from the parade without warning if they determine that you or your group violatesthese Rules of the Parade. This could also result in you or your organization/group being excluded fromnext year’s Parade and future Parades.11. All groups must march in an orderly and continuous manner. No group is permitted to stop the paradeto perform.12. No parade entry is permitted to change the order in which it was assigned, or to have non-authorizedmarchers or groups that exceed approved numbers stated on the parade application.13. ALL automobiles are to have two (2) marchers, one on each side, larger vehicles, including floats musthave at least four (4) marchers.14. All banners and signs must be consistent with the theme of the parade, and be in keeping with allparade rules and must meet with Parade Chief Marshal’s approval on Parade Day.15. Elected officials and political candidates participating in the Parade are not permitted to carry signs,banners, clothing or other material which advertises or promotes their current campaign for office. Nomember of an entry shall display any type of sign promoting a political candidate running for publicoffice. No candidate can be identified in sign, banner, badge or clothing as a candidate for office.16. All participants in the Parade are not permitted to carry signs, banners, clothing or other material whichserve as part of a public protest , or promote political speech, social commentary, labor-managementrelations, government or legislative lobbying, special interest advocacy, or any issue or message themeunrelated to the region’s celebration of its Irish heritage. All signs, banners, clothing and other materialsfor display by parade entries must meet the standards and expectations of the Parade Committee andits rules set forth.17. For vehicles, large and small, in the parade, excessive use of air horns and sirens is discouraged out ofinterest for the welfare of spectators, parade participants and many canine and other animals withsensitive hearing.18. The Pittsburgh Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is a family event, intended to appeal to the entire community,from young children to the region’s senior citizens and everyone in between. With this in mind, theParade Committee does not permit:a. Adult themes, displays and/or behaviors by parade participants.b. Violence or disrespect to fellow participants and spectators.c. Obscene language, gestures, behaviors, signs, banners or apparel.d. Acts of civil disobedience and/or vandalism.e. Possession of any type of weapon (with the exceptions of law enforcement, first responders andmilitary/historic re-enactor participants).f. Possession of any type of illegal drug or substance.The Rules of the Parade Committee are meant to ensure a safe, happy, orderly and family-friendly parade. Wemust have everyone’s cooperation. Parade Marshals and officers from the City of Pittsburgh Police Departmentwill be on hand to enforce all Parade Rules and city laws. WE MUST EMPHASIZE, alcohol is not permitted in thestaging area, on any person or in any participating vehicle, along the parade route. Violation of these rulescould result in your group being asked to leave the parade and/or exclusion from next year’s parade.PLEASE TAKE NOTE:1. The Parade Committee is not responsible for negligence or damage caused by you/your organization.2. Please remember, do not block exits or entrances for parking lots or buildings. Do not block fire hydrants orhandicapped-accessible parking spots.3. City of Pittsburgh Police officers and Parade Marshals will be available to assist you.Pittsburgh Saint Patrick’s Day Parade CommitteeInvited Parade Participant ContractBy signing this agreement between the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and the individual ororganization represented below, I (we) acknowledge that I (we) have read and understand and accept theseRules, and agree to abide by the Rules of the Parade.Parade ProcedureAs an invited entry in the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade, I (we) agree to:I. Display the colored “Parade Vehicle Designation Sheet” provided in the packet we received. Thiswill be placed on the front of or in the windshield of the vehicle(s) being used in the parade.II. Bring only the assigned number of vehicles (1-2 unless otherwise approved by the Parade).III. Provide two (2) marchers per vehicle, one on each side; larger vehicles must have four (4) marchers.IV. Allow the Parade Marshal to place my entry to the area that has been assigned to my group by theParade Committee’s “Final Line-up List.”V. March in an orderly and continuous manner, not stopping the parade to perform.VI. Remove any banner or sign if requested by the Parade’s Chief Marshal on Parade Day.